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11 Dec 2017 11:45 AM
  • Press Release

Fresh from providing an exceptional television debut at MOBO Awards 2017 in which they shared the stage with the electric British Got Talent Winner Tokio Myers, B Positive Choir are proud to announce the release of their first single "Rise Up", their rendition of the hugely inspiring Andra Day original. With lead vocals by the MOBO winning Gospel Sensation, Lurine Cato, the release aims to encourage more people to "Rise Up" and be counted as blood donors.

B Positive, a 60-strong choir of individuals from across England, who live with Sickle Cell disease, their families, friends and supporters, are harnessing the power of music to motivate a new generation to become blood donors. The choir was formed in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant with the mission to highlight the urgent need for new donors in order to help those who require frequent blood transfusions, including those with Sickle Cell disease.

B Positive's performance of "Rise Up" will be shown as part of a MOBO Awards 2017 special on BET (Black Entertainment Television) on Monday 11th December at 10pm. The full MOBO Awards  show is also available to watch now on My5, Channel 5. Proceeds from the single will go to NHS Sickle Cell wards, so by downloading "Rise Up", you are also helping to support their life changing work.

Choir Master, Colin Anderson says: Over the last year 900,000 people have given up their time to help patients in need.  But we need more new donors. Every day, we need 6,000 donations to continue saving lives. We need life-saving blood from new donors of all backgrounds to provide the closest matches for all communities. We are particularly looking for younger people and black communities to come forward"

Following on from last year's award winning "Represent" campaign, MOBO and NHS Blood Transplant are proud to continue their partnership and help spread the message to a wider audience.

MOBO CEO and Founder, Kanya King MBE says "We are proud to work with NHS Blood and Transplant on the "B Positive" campaign and use our platform to help recruit new donors. We were honoured to be able to provide B Positive Choir with their television debut, and it's amazing to see the response they’ve received. We have had so many positive messages of support and love for the song – and consequently have made it available for download"

NHS Blood and Transplant urgently need 200,000 new blood donors each year in order to help provide those who need it with the best care possible. One donation takes an hour and can save up to three lives.

Rise Up and Be Counted: Give Blood, Save Lives

 

For B Positive updates and to follow their journey, including behind the scenes footage, case studies, performances and to download "Rise Up" please go to www.blood.co.uk/bpositive

To register to give blood visit www.blood.co.uk or download the app by searching NHS Give Blood

#BPositive

#GiveBlood

 

Notes to Editors

About MOBO:

The MOBO Awards were established in 1996 by Kanya King MBE to motivate, elevate and celebrate the outstanding achievements of artists in under-served musical genres, from soul, RnB and reggae to hip hop, grime, gospel and afrobeats. Now in its 22nd year, MOBO is a pioneer in its field and not just an event, but a movement.  Over the years, MOBO has become much more than just an awards ceremony, it is now an iconic, year-round, agenda-setting global brand that successfully champions diversity and inclusion in music and broader cultural arenas. It strives to support emerging and independent talent and has provided an early platform for some of the nation’s most-loved artists, from Amy Winehouse and Emeli Sande, to Laura Mvula, Sam Smith, Adele and Skepta. MOBO pursues its purpose to create more opportunities and access for diverse talent across the creative industries in film, TV, fashion, art, sport and media.  A drive to deliver social and cultural change is embedded in the organisation’s DNA. With an ongoing successful talent development programme, a number of Executive Fellowships in the creative workplace and a host of annual training and educational opportunities for young people, MOBO influences the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year. In 2016, the charitable foundation MOBO Trust was established to support young people realise their potential in a wide range of disciplines within the creative sector. The MOBO Help Musicians Fund is the first scheme to be announced by the MOBO Trust, offering grants to support high potential artists at the very start of their careers in music http://beta.mobo.com/help-musicians-fund.

www.mobo.com

Twitter: @MOBOAwards

Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/MOBOofficial/

Instagram: @moboawards

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mobotvofficial

 

About NHS Blood and Transplant:
 

NHSBT is a joint England and Wales Special Health Authority. We are responsible for ensuring a safe and efficient supply of blood and associated services to the NHS in England. We are also the organ donation organisation for the UK and are responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. We are an essential part of the NHS and take pride in saving and improving lives by making the most of every voluntary donation, from blood and organs to tissues and stem cells.

Our donor line - 0300 123 23 23 - is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NHS Blood and Transplant needs to collect 1.6 million units of blood each year to meet the needs of patients across England. It’s important that we collect the right amount of each blood group at the right time to meet patient needs. 

About Blood Donation

In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating. To find out more or book an appointment visit www.blood.co.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 so search for ‘NHS Give Blood’ app.

Press Contact - The Outside Organisation:

Jack Delaney: jack.delaney@outside-org.co.uk

Corinna Ingram: corinna.ingram@outside-org.co.uk

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